Hillary Duff. On Reel To Reel???!!! Why Not?

[Des-Lab]

If you need proof that I always listen to music with an open ear without the bias of any associated stigma attached to it, look no further than this YouTube clip I took.

The song featured is "Wake Up" by Hillary Duff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qu5qTh_vt0#GU5U2spHI_4

No question that the song/artist *IS* a modern day "teeny bopper" tune. And in most cases, no self respecting person over the age of 18 would ever get involved in such kiddy tunes. In most cases, I too would demurr at such stuff. Even VinylDavid, who is all of 16, sneered at this one. So THAT alone should tell you something (bro this speaks to your age and not your maturity level so don't think I'm taking a potshot at you), saying, and I quote: "That's just sad". -unquote. I'm not sure what exactly he thinks is sad about it. The fact that I was listening to it at all. Or corrupted a reel to reel with it. Or both. Perhaps he'll elaborate.

But I had the misfortune of hearing this song before I knew who it was. Think "blind test". And I actually like(d) it: It is upbeat, well mixed, good rhythm and melody, and a respectable guitar riff. My heart did stop for a second when I found out who it was as I thought "aww shit...I like THAT???"

I bought the CD, quite openly, at my local Virgin Megastore. I kept a straight and solemn face as I did. No doubt the cashier (who herself couldn't have been a day over 21) HAD to have assumed that I was buying it for my [nonexistant] kid. As I am 34 (33 at time of purchase), I could pass for someone who had a preteen kid. Had anyone discovered that I was buying the CD for myself, I probably would've been banned from the store.

But seriously. Put all of that MTV, Disney, and teeny bopper stigma side. Listen to the song (or at least watch the reels for four minutes).

It actually isn't bad at all.

[vinyldavid]

I shall elaborate, as you wish, and I know that you are not taking potshots at me....i am getting that at AK and know what it is. :mad:

all IMHO:

I have never LIKED pop music, be it from any era (OK, I admit, when I was about 11 I went though a brief infatuation with the standard pop music of the time), that is aimed at teen girls....not that I disapprove or any guy listening to it (or girls for that matter), I would try to avoid posting it on YOUTUBE, for all to see......it's just not something that I would flaunt. :no:

Now, as to why I do not like the MUSIC, and I usually listen to almost everything (got Nektar's Recycled song cycle playing here, before it was The brandenburg Concertos....).... I will preface this with the fact that I have only heard it on Youtube, and not from the original source.....

That is the sound of all music today. You cannot tell one thing from another. That sounds like countless songs that I have heard and I can barely tell them apart. Digitally recorded, compressed and served. NOT my style. That's not saying that I don't like new music, but the stuff that I HAVE heard (with a few exceptions, like Mars Volta and such), but that's typical radio fodder, with a set of lyrics that have no emotional impact nor interest to me. I have a cousin that has been going through that period for many years, and it drives me UP THE WALL. I am just sick of it. all commercialized rubbish, IMO.

However, I will admit that the reels turnin were nice......

[Des-Lab]

Points taken. Funny thing is, for the most part, I agree with you 100%. But as I said, every once in a blue moon, something (no matter how much of a crass overcommercialized song it is) good actually does come out. At least good in the sense that I like it. Like I said, I listen to the music at face value and try and set all prejudices aside. But you are right. 99% of all so-called Top 40 music (since roughly 1991) has been garbage.

[vinyldavid]

Points taken. Funny thing is, for the most part, I agree with you 100%. But as I said, every once in a blue moon, something (no matter how much of a crass overcommercialized song it is) good actually does come out. At least good in the sense that I like it. Like I said, I listen to the music at face value and try and set all prejudices aside. But you are right. 99% of all so-called Top 40 music (since roughly 1991) has been garbage.

Yep, and props to you for listenin like that.

glad that you enjoy something that comes out of today's garbage....I know that I hear a lot worse all of the time.

Also, I don't think that I would be so staunchly against today's 'music' if it wasn't EQ'd for iPod earbuds and to sound somewhat acceptable on the cheapo shit sold in big box stores....

In fact, I have had people get angry with me when I do a transfer of a tape or LP when it does not sound loud all of the time nor have a bass boost.

I recorded a live concert, at my school(on the Teac A-3340S at 7.5ips on NOS Scotch 207 and Maxell UD35-90b 7" reels), and when I gave a couple of copies out, I got complaints that "it's not LOUD ENOUGH!" and "you cannot hear the male singers well" and "the sound gets louder and softer!!!!"

I played the CD-res files on a $100,000 all tube McIntosh system and it sounded like the concert. EXACTLY like the concert, with a little too much cymbals and no low bass (mics cut off at 50hz)....but it sounded like the CONCERT. Full dynamics, soundstaging, PRaT......

Just goes to show ya, people expect a 'digitally recorded and compressed' recording no matter what the source....

[Nak_novice]

Matt,

Watched that clip on YOUTUBE a few times and like it a lot! My favourite is the Brian Adams one, cant remember which now, run to you or summer of 69 or something? anyway, watching the deck and listening is mesmerising. Particularly with the 3rd glass of red!

[braxus]

God only knows people would snicker at some of the music I have and listen too. I usually like a song for the way it makes me feel when its playing and not so much the words itself. As Matt knows my music taste is pretty eclectic, so it won't bother me too much if others have other tastes. I won't understand why they like it, but hey. Each to their own.

[NAD613]

God only knows people would snicker at some of the music I have and listen too. I usually like a song for the way it makes me feel when its playing and not so much the words itself. As Matt knows my music taste is pretty eclectic, so it won't bother me too much if others have other tastes. I won't understand why they like it, but hey. Each to their own.

As would people at some of my music. IMHO, I really like the sound of much of the Columbia Records catalog recorded in the late 50's-early 60's. It seems that most of those albums, be it Miles Davis, Robert Goulet, The Brothers Four, Percy Faith, Andy Williams, Andre Kostelanetz, etc., have a real good sound to them; very warm & full.

[Web Police]

Don't play that type of music, you'll get sticky shed all over your tape heads. :p

On a serious note, I like to listen to and evaluate music one song at a time so my music taste is all over the board. To me there are no good or bad artists just good or bad songs from those artists. :)

[Des-Lab]

LOL! But the tape being used was the new RMGI LPR-35. It was, in fact, *THE* tape I used in the "review" discussion. Same tape, reel, and all. So don't jinx me like that.

I guess I should just be thankful I wasn't handed a penalty of some kind:

"Listening to teeny bopper music on a reel to reel is a violation of the Tape Brotherhood. The penalty is one X-2000R. Or at least a few rolls of tape".

-or something along those lines.

FWIW, here is the entire playlist of that tape:

SIDE 1:

1. Bruce Springsteen "Radio Nowhere"
2. REM "Radio Free Europe"
3. Hillary Duff "Wake Up"
4. Peter Murphy "Indigo eyes"
5. Johnny Cash "Jackson:
6. Morningwood "9Th Degree"
7. John Mellencamp "The American"
8. Bruce Springsteen "Magic"
9. The Eagles "How Long"
10. Kon Kan "I Beg Your Pardon"
11. Van Halen "Standing On The Top Of The World"
12. Urlich Schnauss "Monday"
13. Pet Shop Boys "Love Comes Quickly"
14. Echo And The Bunnymen "Lips Like Sugar" (12" remix)
15. Bruce Springsteen "You'll Be Going Down"
16. Patty Scalifa "Stumbling Through Bethlehelm"
17. The Eagles "I Wish"
18. Simple Minds "New Gold Dream"
19. The Cult "She Sells Sanctuary"
20. John Mellencamp "Our Country"
21. Jan Hammer "Crocketts Theme"
22. The Ocean Blue "Whenever You're Around" (live)
23. REM "Superman"
24. The Eagles "What Do I Do With My Heart"

SIDE 2: Blank/non-recorded

[Web Police]

The sticky shed would have been from the artist not the tape. :p

But I'll cut you some slack as the rest of the play list is of redeeming quality. I have listened to part of the track you posted and I may have to go back and listen to the entire track.

[Doug_Olitsky]

My tastes are all over the place as well... Mel Torme, megadeath, kraftwerk, rosemary clooney, rush, zep, stern, tosh. pretty much anything 'cept rap, hip-hop ant the like

[Fast Forward]

Christ will I get Banned if I happen to Play ABBA and the Carpenters once in a While:(

[Des-Lab]

What's wrong with a little ABBA? I like a few of their songs such as "Take A Chance On Me" and "Knowing Me KNowing You", both of which I have on reel tapes. So you shouldn't get into much trouble for those.

But The Carpenters? I dunno. Now you are starting to tread some risky waters there. If you say you also have Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, and Bread, then you are on your own pal. ;)

[braxus]

I guess Im shoulder deep in the pool because I like the Carpenters. Even have their SACD of their best hits.

[Nak_novice]

Braxus, I'm with you buddy, I have a spare snorkel for you if we are both submerged.
Why? well i like all of the above and Boney M !!

[Fast Forward]

What's wrong with a little ABBA? I like a few of their songs such as "Take A Chance On Me" and "Knowing Me KNowing You", both of which I have on reel tapes. So you shouldn't get into much trouble for those.

But The Carpenters? I dunno. Now you are starting to tread some risky waters there. If you say you also have Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, and Bread, then you are on your own pal. ;)Christ does that mean I,ll have to pitch my Slim Whitman and Roger Whitiker collection:(

[Des-Lab]

Of course not. You'll have some material to build a wall collage of vinyl. Makes a great and eccentric bit of décor. CD's can also be used to make ceiling mounted mobiles. Or at least coasters for your favorite drink.

Seriously though. You listen to what YOU like. Because that's all that matters. We might give you a hard time for listening to what the great humor writer Dave Barry calls "weenie music". But we still love you and respect you to listen to what ever you want. Esecially if it's on tape.

[Fast Forward]

Of course not. You'll have some material to build a wall collage of vinyl. Makes a great and eccentric bit of décor. CD's can also be used to make ceiling mounted mobiles. Or at least coasters for your favorite drink.

Seriously though. You listen to what YOU like. Because that's all that matters. We might give you a hard time for listening to what the great humor writer Dave Barry calls "weenie music". But we still love you and respect you to listen to what ever you want. Esecially if it's on tape.Ok but we have to make a pact as a group,,ABSOLUTLY NO MILLI VANNILI ALLOWED:)

[vinyldavid]

What's wrong with a little ABBA? I like a few of their songs such as "Take A Chance On Me" and "Knowing Me KNowing You", both of which I have on reel tapes. So you shouldn't get into much trouble for those.

But The Carpenters? I dunno. Now you are starting to tread some risky waters there. If you say you also have Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, and Bread, then you are on your own pal. ;)

Abba's good.

Carpenters.......not my tastes.

[Fast Forward]

Abba's good.

Carpenters.......not my tastes.I,m a sucker for a great voice,,Cass Elliot,,K.D Lang,,etc Karen carpenter had a trmendous voice,,hey dave ever hear any Ruby Starr?

[Doug_Olitsky]

I like Abba! And the carpets, in small doses.

Hey, dont knock Paul Anka.... have your listened to "rock swings"? :rolleyes:

http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Swings-Paul-Anka/dp/B0009A1BXG

[clhboa]

The late Ruby Starr was awesome. Her appearances on Black Oak Arkansas records were always a treat. Of the 3 solo lp's she did for Capital, the self titled first one is a classic. "Scene Stealer" has a killer version of "Maybe I'm Amazed". "Smokey Places" is not as strong as the first 2 but does have it's moments. About a year after she died I called her brother's house to ask him a couple questions about her career. I spoke to his wife and son. They were real friendly but didn't seem to know much about her work. I have some bootleg concerts of her from the 80's with the band GREY STARR on vhs too. The Ruby Jones lp never did too much for me though.